Binfield’s Hellenic Premier Division title challenge was effectively ended in farcical circumstances in Oxfordshire on Saturday.

Witney scored a ridiculous equalising goal some nine minutes into injury time, but also exposed the Moles’ Achilles heel this season, as they dropped points away from home once again against a side who defend deep and in numbers.

With their away programme now complete, Binfield have dropped 16 away points to sides in the bottom half of the table – and 16 points to teams in the top half.

Having dropped just five out of a possible 54 points at home, there is little doubt where Binfield fell short this season.

Witney defended well and hit Binfield on the break to good affect, with Joe Tustain handed a great opportunity to open the scoring, only to shoot straight at Dan Weait.

Although the Moles were enjoying more possession, Witney had more chances with Sean McKeon just millimetres from opening the scoring on 29 minutes.

The Moles then settled and started to play some of the football they have become known for under Mark Tallentire, creating chances at will.

Sargeant and Davies also went close as Witney were left holding on at half-time.

Binfield started the second half strongly and Griffiths made two top-class saves within two minutes of the restart, the first from a Garry Sargeant close-range volley and the second following a fierce drive from Davies.

The introduction of Danny Wing gave Binfield more drive going forward with both he and Williams having decent chances to open the scoring.

The Moles finally found the breakthrough they deserved in the 78th minute when Tom Boxer stopped Sargeant’s shot with his arm three yards from goal.

Although the referee pointed to the spot, he took no further action against Boxer, and Williams calmly sent Griffiths the wrong way from 12 yards.

In the remaining minutes, the Moles created two or three good chances to double their lead, with Ryan Millward firing high and wide, Davies squandering a one-on-one chance and Williams narrowly missing with a volley.

Then came the extraordinary ending.

With 99 minutes on the clock and the ball safely in Weait’s hands on the edge of his penalty area, referee Mr Chalmers bizarrely penalised Weait for holding on to the ball for too long, despite having his back to the keeper.

From that free-kick, 17 yards out, the ball was slipped sideways and Tustain hit an unstoppable shot through the onrushing Binfield players and in.

It was very harsh on the Moles who were rightly aggrieved at both the inexplicable injury time played and the odd free-kick decision that went against them.

Binfield now complete their league programme with three home matches, the first against Shortwood United tonight (7.45pm kick-off).